From customer to partner and broker excellence

“A reliable end-to-end solution that takes care of the entire import and export process, that is what we wanted to offer our customers”, explains René. Weighing their options, he and Ralph quickly arrived at the realization that clearing goods through a UK clearing agent would work most smoothly, especially given the sensitive nature of most goods. That is why AEB set Bongers up with its Customs Broker Integration software, connecting them to an excellent clearing agent in the UK handling import declarations, and an integrated invoicing solution.

Customs Broker Integration receives data from its customers through an API and files the export declaration in the Netherlands using the AEB direct-filing solution, then transfers the data with AEB’s Customs Broker Integration to the UK clearing agent, who in turn files the UK import declaration. The entire process is handled within one system. Since exact same data set is used for all the transmissions, there is no risk of data being lost or accidentally changed, as can happen easily when it is copied manually. The digital integration allows Bongers to follow the progress of the clearing process, giving them full transparency of where their goods are at any given time and, of course, informing them as soon as it is complete.

In early 2022, all systems were up and running as desired, allowing Bongers to file about 50,000 to 55,000 declarations annually, depending on the season. That is five times the number they cleared pre-Brexit. With data quality now excellent and all processes streamlined for maximum speed and accuracy, Bongers clears large volumes reliably and without any hold-ups. With several new customs experts on the payroll, they are in a strong position in the Dutch market and beyond. All the while, the customer-supplier-relationship with AEB became a true partnership, putting Bongers in the unique position of acting as broker and customer using broker services.

“With Brexit in the rearview mirror, we are now in a great position after all the adjustments”, states René, “and the next steps will be to provide customs clearance services to AEB customers as a partner in the AEB Customs Broker Network.” One example of Bongers providing export services for an AEB customer is a British online plant and flower retailer importing plants from the Netherlands to the UK.

At the same time, as customer of AEB Customs Broker Integration, Bongers is able to offer its customers multi-country customs services. One such setup sees them handling export declarations from Germany to Norway for one of their key clients.

What started out as a necessity to prepare for Brexit has turned into an AEB-Bongers partnership and has set the Dutch clearing agent on a whole new trajectory of success and growth.